breast support arrangement

ABSTRACT

A breast support arrangement comprises a first breast cup which is connected with a first wing portion and a second breast cup which is connected with a second wing portion. The first and second connecting members on the brassiere are cooperable with one another to couple the first and second wing portions to one another. At least one of the first and second connecting members can include an elastic member to, draw the first breast cup towards the first wing portion, the second breast cup towards the second wing portion, and the first and second wing portions towards one another. Each wing portion includes a wing guide to couple the corresponding connecting member to the wing portion and guides movement of the respective connecting member relative to the corresponding wing portion. Each wing guide includes a guide body which defines a rigid guide portion to receive the corresponding connecting member.

This invention relates to a breast support arrangement.

It is known, for example from international publication number WO 2007/026136, to provide a breast support arrangement, e.g. a brassiere, which is configured such that the movement of one breast is inhibited by the mass of the other breast.

Such breast support arrangements improve the support provided to a wearer's breasts by lifting each breast.

However, one drawback with breast support arrangements of this type is that once adjusted by a wearer to provide a desired degree of support in a static configuration they are unable to adapt as a wearer moves. As a result, such arrangements cannot provide optimal support and comfort through a range of a wearer's movements, as may be encountered during normal use.

There is, therefore, a need for an improved breast support arrangement which obviates the aforementioned difficulty.

According to the invention there is provided a breast support arrangement comprising:

-   -   a first breast cup connected with a first wing portion;     -   a second breast cup connected with a second wing portion;     -   a first connecting member coupling the first breast cup and the         first wing portion to one another, the first connecting member         being moveable relative to the first wing portion; and     -   a second connecting member coupling the second breast cup and         the second wing portion to one another, the second connecting         member being moveable relative to the second wing portion,     -   the first and second connecting members being cooperable with         one another to couple the first and second wing portions to one         another; and     -   at least one of the first and second connecting members being or         including an elastic member to, in use, draw the first breast         cup towards the first wing portion, the second breast cup         towards the second wing portion, and the first and second wing         portions towards one another.

The provision of first and second connecting members, each of which is able to move relative to a corresponding wing portion, allows respective portions of each connecting member to adjust their length dynamically as a wearer moves, and so enable the breast support arrangement to continually adapt its configuration to provide optimal support and comfort throughout the wearer's range of movements.

Drawing the first breast cup towards the first wing portion and the second breast cup towards the second wing portion allows the breast support arrangement to lift each breast relative to a wearer's shoulders, and so provide a desired degree of support to each breast.

Meanwhile, drawing the first and second wing portions towards one another allows the breast support arrangement the clamp around a wearer's torso to a desired extent, and so improves security by minimising the likelihood of the breast support arrangement becoming dislodged from the wearer's breasts.

Each wing portion may include a wing guide to couple the corresponding connecting member to the wing portion and guide the movement of the respective connecting member relative to the wing portion.

The inclusion of such wing guides enables the breast support arrangement to control the relative orientation of a respective portions of the first connecting member which extends either side of one wing guide, and the relative orientation of respective portions of the second connecting member which extends either side of the other wing guide, and so control the relative extent to which the breast support arrangement provides support or security.

Optionally each wing guide includes a guide body which defines a guide portion to receive the corresponding connecting member. The provision of a guide portion enables the relative extent to which the breast support arrangement provides support or security to be tailored readily during manufacture and assembly of the breast support arrangement.

Conveniently at least one of the first and second connecting members is adjustable in length. Such a feature allows a wearer to adjust a given breast support arrangement to fit her particular body shape.

Each of the first and second connecting members may be adjustable in length towards an end thereof. The ability to adjust the length of each connecting member readily enables a wearer to configure the breast support arrangement in a symmetrical manner.

Optionally at least one of the first and second connecting members is selectively separable from the corresponding breast cup.

Such a feature facilitates assembly and fitting of the breast support arrangement.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the first and second connecting members are couplable with one another via a fastener. Such a feature provides a wearer with one option for putting on the breast support arrangement while facilitating the combined functionality of the first and second connecting members.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the first and second connecting members are integrally formed to define a single unitary connecting member. Such a unitary connecting members reduces the likelihood of the breast support arrangement becoming incorrectly configured during, e.g. laundering.

Preferably the first and second breast cups are selectively separable from one another.

Such an arrangement provides a wearer with another option of for putting the breast support arrangement on.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the breast support arrangement is in the form of an article of clothing.

The breast support arrangement may be in the form of one of:

-   -   an article of swimwear;     -   an article of nightwear; and     -   an article of sportswear.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention the breast support arrangement is in the form of a brassiere.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rear elevational view of a breast support arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from behind of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from in front of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a wing guide forming part of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

A breast support arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention is in the form of a brassiere and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the breast support arrangement may be in the form of an article of clothing such as an article of swimwear, an article of nightwear, or an article of sportswear.

The brassiere 10 includes a first breast cup 12 which is connected to a first wing portion 14, and a second breast cup 16 which is connected to a second wing portion 18.

In the embodiment shown the first breast cup 12 and the first wing portion 14, and the second breast cup 16 and the second wing portion 18, are each integrally formed from a single fabric panel. In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the respective breast cups 12, 16 and wing portions 14, 18 may be formed from discrete fabric panels which are fastened to one another, e.g. by stitching.

A first connecting member 20 couples the first breast cup 12 and the first wing portion 14 to one another. The first connecting member 20 is moveable relative to the first wing portion 14.

A second connecting member 22 couples the second breast cup 16 and the second wing portion 18 to one another. The second connecting member 22 is moveable relative to the second wing portion 18.

The first and second connecting members 20, 22 are cooperable with one another to couple the first and second wing portions 14, 18 to one another.

In the embodiment shown the first and second connecting members 20, 22 are selectively couplable to one another via a fastener 24.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first and second connecting member 20, 22 may be coupled with one another, or fastened to one another, in a different manner.

In still further embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first and second connecting members 20, 22 may be integrally formed so as to define a single, unitary connecting member.

Each of the first and second connecting members 20, 22 shown is an elastic member 26, 28 which is formed from a conventional woven elastic fabric.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) one or more of the connecting members 20, 22 may include one or more elastic members within its length.

Each connecting member 20, 22 is adjustable in length at a first end 30, 32 thereof using a buckle arrangement.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first end 30, 32 of at least one of the connecting members 20, 22 may be separable from the corresponding breast cup 12, 16.

Each wing portion 14, 18 includes a wing guide 34 which couples the corresponding connecting member 20, 22 to the respective wing portion 14, 18, and guides the movement of the given connecting member 20, 22 relative to the corresponding wing portion 14, 18.

Each wing guide 34 includes a guide body 36 which defines a guide portion 38.

In the embodiment shown the guide portion 38 is an elongate first aperture 40. Other shapes of first aperture 40 are also possible.

Each wing guide 34 also includes a second aperture 42 through which the corresponding wing portion 14, 18 is secured to the wing guide 34.

The first and second apertures 40, 42 are inclined relative to one another.

The first and second apertures 40, 42 may be inclined at an angle lying between parallel and perpendicular to one another.

Preferably the inclination angle A lies between 30° and 60°, and in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the inclination angle A lies between 40° and 50°.

In the embodiment shown the inclination angle A is 45°.

This angle A bisects the angle formed between first and second portions 44, 46 of the first connecting member 20, with the first portion 44 lying between the first breast cup 12 and the first wing portion 16 and the second portion 46 extending from the first wing portion 14 towards the second wing portion 18.

The aforementioned inclination angle A also bisects the angle between first and second portions 48, 50 of the second connecting member 22, with the first portion 48 lying between the second breast cup 14 and the second wing portion 18 and the second portion 50 extending from the second wing portion 18 towards the first wing portion 14.

As a result any tensile force generated in the first connecting member 20 is distributed evenly between the first and second portions 44, 46 thereof, and any tensile force generated in the second connecting member 22 is distributed evenly between the first and second portions 48, 50 thereof.

It follows that the brassiere 10 is configured to prioritise evenly between support (as provided by tension in the first portion 44, 48 of each connecting member 20, 22) and brassiere security (as provided by tension in the second portion 46, 50 of each connecting member 20, 22).

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the angle of inclination of the first aperture 40 to the corresponding wing portion 14, 18 (as defined by the wing guide 34) may be varied in order to alter the distribution of tensile force between the first and second portions 44, 48, 46, 50 of each connecting member 20, 22.

Accordingly it is possible to alter the manner in which the brassiere prioritises between support and brassiere security. For example, increasing the angle of inclination above 45° will result in a greater proportion of any tensile force in the connecting members 20, 22 acting along the first portions 44, 48, thereby resulting in more support, while the proportion of tensile force acting along the second portions 46, 50 reduces, thereby reducing the force with the brassiere 10 clamps a wearer's torso, i.e. the brassiere security.

In the embodiment shown the first and second breast cups 12, 16 are selectively separable from one another via a clasp 52.

In use a wearer may separate the second portions 46, 50 of each connecting member 20, 22 to assist in putting the brassiere 10 on.

Once in place on a wearer's body the wearer may adjust the length of either connecting member 20, 22 so as to generate a desired degree of tensile force within the combined connecting members 20, 22.

The tensile force draws the first breast cup 12 towards the first wing portion 14 and the second breast cup 14 towards the second wing portion 18. In this way each of the breast cups 12, 16 is drawn upwards and so acts to lift each breast and thereby provide support to the breasts.

Meanwhile the tensile force in the connecting members 20, 22 draws the first and second wing portions 14, 18 towards one another via the fastener 24. In this way each of the breast cups 12, 16 is pulled into engagement with the wearer's breasts to provide security.

The brassiere 10 shown is configured to substantially equally distribute the tensile force in the connecting members 20, 22 between the first and second portions 44, 46, 48, 50 of each connecting member 20, 22, so as to provide equal priority to brassiere support and security.

As a wearer moves, each connecting member 20, 22 is able to move relative to the corresponding wing guide 34 to allow the relative length of the first and second portions 44, 46, 48, 50 of each of the first and second connecting members 20, 22 to change. This enables the brassiere 10 dynamically to adjust its configuration, to accommodate the changes in body position, and so continue to provide optimal support and comfort.

In the meantime the wing guides 34 maintain the relative orientation of the first and second portions 44, 46, 48, 50 of each of the connecting members 20, 22 so as to maintain the aforementioned predetermined, e.g. even, distribution of tensile force between brassiere support and security. 

1. A breast support arrangement comprising: a first breast cup connected with a first wing portion; a second breast cup connected with a second wing portion; a first connecting member coupling the first breast cup and the first wing portion to one another, the first connecting member being moveable relative to the first wing portion; and a second connecting member coupling the second breast cup and the second wing portion to one another, the second connecting member being moveable relative to the second wing portion, the first and second connecting members being cooperable with one another to couple the first and second wing portions to one another; at least one of the first and second connecting members being or including an elastic member to, in use, draw the first breast cup towards the first wing portion, the second breast cup towards the second wing portion, and the first and second wing portions towards one another; each wing portion including a wing guide to couple the corresponding connecting member to the wing portion and guide the movement of the respective connecting member relative to the wing portion; and each wing guide including a guide body which defines a rigid guide portion to receive the corresponding connecting member.
 2. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connecting members is adjustable in length.
 3. A breast support arrangement according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second connecting members is adjustable in length towards an end thereof. 4-13. (canceled)
 14. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connecting members is selectively separable from the corresponding breast cup.
 15. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and second connecting members are selectively couplable to one another via a fastener.
 16. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and second connecting members are integrally formed to define a single unitary connecting member.
 17. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and second breast cups are selectively separable from one another.
 18. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 in the form of an article of clothing.
 19. A breast support arrangement according to claim 18 in the form of one of: an article of swimwear; an article of nightwear; and an article of sportswear.
 20. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 in the form of a brassiere. 